The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1887-11-09
The C arendon Farmers in Session.

3. S. DINklNS, Editor.
The c arendon Farmers in Session.
MEETING LAST SATURDAY.
The meeting was called to order by
the president and the minutes OF the
last meeting read and on motion ap-
proved. The chair stated that at a
meeting of the executive committee at
the Grange Hall a subcommittee was
appointed to inquire into the oppor-
tunities of purchasing piece OF land
and building hall for the use OF the
association, and to afford the facilities
OF holding county fair at some time
in the future. The chairman OF this
committee when called upon SAID that
nothing had been done by the COM
mittee but that he had cast upon the
grounds of old Fellowship church as
8 most desirable place. Mr.. Des
Champs expressed himself in favor OF
the proposed scheme and thought the
cite should be as near Manning as
possible on account of its central po-
sition. On motion of Mr.. James 3.
Davis the committee were instructed
TO continue their efforts in this direc-
ton. Captain Mills, before the mo-
ton was pnt, objected to the purchase
of any lands and the building OF a hall
at this time, on account of the poverty
of the farmers; and if the committee
were clothed with this power, he oblec-
ted strenuously. On it being explain
ed that the committee was only one Of
enquiry and investigation to report to
the association for its confirmation OF
veto, he withdrew his objection, and
the motion was carried, This ended,
the chairman arose and stated the pri-
mary business to be to elect delegates
to the farmers convention to meet IN
Columbia. He dwelt at some length
upon the advantage to the farmers OF
the State meeting together to learn
from each other; and summarized the
work accomplished by the last State
convention. Ten delegates were to
be elected-5 regular and 5 alternates,
and he hoped they would every one
attend. In his speech, Mr. Iindal de-
scribed all the industries Of the State
as never before in better condition,
while the farmers generally were poor
er now than ten years ago. Organic
alton he earnestly urged as the only
means of placing the farmers on
footing with these classes. If, he said,
] could arouse the farmers to realize
the importance of organization and
get them to organize themselves, l
would feel that I had aceomplished a
great deal and be satisfied The tariff
was referred to as one of the many
grievances suffered by the farmers
and the remedy declared to be IL o.
ganizaiion.
At the conclusion of Mr.. Tindafs
speech the election Of delegates was
entered into. Upon motion the nom
nations were made from the floor and
the delegates elected vSca coce. The
following were elected: 7. J. NJ. Da-
Wis, L. q. DesChamps, E. r Plowden,
>Jr., James E. Davis, F. P. Cooper, del
egates; j: D. Childers, J.. B. Andrews,
S. r. Chandler, A. L. Lesesne, and ".
Af. Plowden, alternates. The presld-
ent was nominated but his name was
Withdrawn at his request based
on the statement that the Legislature
woald be in session when the conyen-
lion met, and his duties might con-
Aict. Captain J. Anderson Mills was
also nominated. He caused a riple OF
excitement by asking to be excused on
the ground that be was not in full
sympathy with the objects Of the pro-
posed convention. Although, he said,
] warmly endorse anything that will
benefit the farmers, one OF which I am,
and the farmers movement proper, Z
heartily favor that too. But / do not
believe in any body of unsworn men,
such as the farmers convention Will be,
debating TO the sworn members OF the
Legislature. and furthermore, do not
think it advisable to tax the State in
its present poverty with the expense
of an agricultural college, nor am {
sanguine that this college will come
up to the expectations of many per-
sons. Continuing, MIR. Mills said, Il
do not believe that the farmers OF this
country are 'bewers of wood and
drawers OF water as is so often repeat
ed. I am a farmer myself, and free
man. The merchant is a necessity. It
is the farmers own fault if he ground
himself down with an agricultural lien.
Do Levi, Loyns, and Rigby grind
down the farmer? No, they are help
to him. When the poor man is with
out the means to make his crop these
men advance to him, and they are le-
gally as well as honorably bound to
pay him. The farmers, if they expect